Shrewsbury Town Gears Up for 140th Anniversary with Key Player Retentions and Stadium Upgrades

June 11, 2026 — Shrewsbury Town Football Club is marking a significant milestone as they prepare to celebrate their 140th anniversary next season, while simultaneously strengthening their squad for the challenges ahead in League Two.

The club, affectionately known as the Shrews or Salopians, has launched supporter-led celebrations for the landmark year. Plans include special events, a commemorative kit, and stadium enhancements at the Croud Meadow (New Meadow) to honour the club's rich history since its founding in 1886. Fans and the local community are expected to play a central role in the festivities, reflecting the strong bond between the club and its supporters.

In a boost for squad stability, defender Luca Hoole has signed a new contract with the club. The popular player’s commitment comes amid a series of retention deals designed to build continuity under head coach Gavin Cowan. Hoole’s extension follows similar moves for experienced utility man Josh Ruffels, who put pen to paper on a new deal in late May. Ruffels, versatile across defence and midfield, impressed last season and was linked with interest from elsewhere before opting to stay at the Croud Meadow.

Cowan, who took charge in late January 2026 following the departure of Michael Appleton, has been instrumental in steadying the ship. The former Shrewsbury player and lifelong supporter recently signed a contract extension until at least 2028, signalling long-term ambitions. “It’s a special place,” Cowan said in recent comments. “We’re building something here that fans can be proud of.”

Adding to the positive momentum, Shrewsbury have secured the signing of defender Arkell Jude-Boyd from Cheltenham Town. The club beat competition from several suitors to land the promising full-back, who is seen as a valuable addition to bolster the backline. Early feedback from fans and analysts highlights his athleticism and potential impact in League Two.

On the pitch, Shrewsbury continue to navigate the 2025-26 campaign. Recent results have shown glimpses of improvement, though consistency remains a key focus as the team pushes for a stronger finish. The club’s return to League Two this season after a spell higher up has brought fresh challenges, but the combination of experienced heads and exciting new talent is fostering optimism.

Off-field developments include announcements of major stadium upgrades tied to the 140th anniversary. These improvements aim to enhance the matchday experience for supporters and modernise facilities at the New Meadow. Chief executives have emphasised that these investments reflect the club’s ambition to grow sustainably while staying true to its community roots.

With the summer transfer window now open, speculation is rife about further incoming players. Manager Cowan is expected to prioritise defensive reinforcements and midfield creativity as the club looks to avoid another relegation scrap and build towards mid-table security or better. Supporters have responded positively to the recent contract news, viewing it as a sign of stability after a turbulent few seasons.

As Shrewsbury Town enters this historic anniversary year, the focus remains on blending heritage with progress. From the pitch to the boardroom, there is a clear sense of renewed purpose. Fans will be watching closely as pre-season preparations begin, hopeful that the 140th year will bring memorable moments and success on the field.

The coming months promise to be eventful for the Shrews, with anniversary celebrations set to unite the town and provide a fitting tribute to one of English football’s enduring clubs.

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Home of Shrewsbury Town FC

Opened 2007

Capacity 10,361

History (from Wikipedia)

Naming[edit]

The stadium had no official name during the club's first season at their new home, before being christened the "Prostar Stadium" in a four-year deal with the sports kit manufacturer of the same name in July 2008.[1] The club had initially distanced themselves from the unofficial name of "New Meadow", preferring to sever links with the old Gay Meadow ground,[2] however when the naming deal with Prostar ended two years earlier than scheduled, new sponsors Greenhous gave supporters the opportunity to vote for a new stadium name, with "Meadow" added to the shortlist after feedback from fans.[3] From May 2010, the stadium was officially known as "Greenhous Meadow",[4] until Greenhous announced they would be ending their sponsorship of the club and stadium in November 2016,[5] with local firm Montgomery Waters taking on the naming rights from July 2017.[6]

Design and construction[edit]

Proposals to move to a new stadium site at Oteley Road were first drawn up in the late 1990s,[7] with planning permission granted in September 2003.[8] A covenant protecting the Gay Meadow site for sports use was transferred to Oteley Road in 2004, clearing the way for the sale of the old ground to property developers to finance the building of New Meadow.[9]

The stadium was designed by WDW Partnership architects, with the project awarded to Hall Construction, at a cost of £11.2 million, with a brief to build a 10,000 capacity all-seater stadium, with banqueting facilities for up to 300 people. The project consisted of erecting four stands, including hospitality boxes, function rooms, kitchen, bars, offices and a club shop as well as adjoining community and training pitches, a 670 space car park and access roads. Work was completed for the new stadium to open in time for the beginning of the 2007–08 Football League Two season.[10]

Stands[edit]

The East and West stands run the length of the pitch; the South and North stands face onto the ends of the pitch. All stands are fully seated and covered; each stand also has its own catering and toilets. At present the stands are detached from one another.
  • "Roland Wycherley Stand" - East stand, named after the present chairman; includes the club's hospitality facilities, the changing rooms, club offices and club shop. Blocks 1−7. Capacity 2,741.[11]
  • "Salop Leisure Stand" - South stand, named after a local business sponsor. Houses the new safe-standing section of the ground. Blocks 8−12. Capacity 1,955.[11]
  • "DM Recruitment Stand" - North stand - the away supporters' stand; also has stadium control room and scoreboard, resulting in fewer seats than the South stand. Blocks 20−24. Capacity 1,796.[11]
  • "The Assist Group Stand" - West stand, named after a local company. Blocks 13−19. Capacity 3,317.[11]
Expansion and developments[edit]

After the first nine seasons hosted at New Meadow, the average attendance for first-team league matches stood at 5,612, approximately 57% of capacity (see table below), with no confirmed prospect of stadium expansion in the foreseeable future as of July 2016.

In September 2014, Shrewsbury drew Chelsea at home in the fourth round of the League Cup. With the club anticipating a high demand for tickets, C.E.O. Matt Williams proposed that temporary seating could be erected in the corners between the existing stands. In order to maintain segregation between home and away supporters, and to allow access for emergency vehicles, the proposals were later reduced to two temporary stands at the South (home) end of the ground,[12] With match tickets selling out on their first day of general sale, the club confirmed the plans on 13 October 2014, which temporarily raised the capacity of New Meadow to 10,361.[13]

Subsequent developments on the stadium site include 5G 5-a-side and 7-a-side pitches currently operated by Powerleague,[14] and a community centre run by "Shrewsbury Town in the Community" which opened on land behind the South stand in 2016.[15] A memorial garden area to remember fans, staff and players who have died was also relocated near the entrance to the stadium in the same year.[16] Shropshire Football Association are also based at New Meadow, with their county office located in a building at the rear of the South stand.[17]

The food retailer Lidl submitted plans to build a supermarket at the stadium site in May 2016, however this was partly reliant on the local council agreeing to move land earmarked for community use at the North end of the ground to another part of the site.[18] Planning permission for the Lidl development and a new community pitch was approved in April 2017, with building work due to begin the following month.[19]

Things to do in Shrewsbury.